CHAPTER LXIX 

 THE MICROBE OF CHOLERA INFANTUM 



THIS disease is responsible for about 30,000 

 deaths every year in the United States, 500,000 

 in the world. All, or nearly all, are children un- 

 der two years. It is another "slaughter of the 

 innocents." 



No disease is more easily preventable. These 

 infants and children subsist largely on milk. The 

 milk, before it is taken from the cow's udder, con- 

 tains no microbes. But as soon as milk comes in 

 contact with the air, germs come into it from the 

 air. In six hours, if kept open to the air, each 

 quart, especially in hot weather, may contain 

 100,000,000 germs. To adults in vigorous health, 

 no harm. To the innocents, cholera infantum. 



At least, certain species of these germs are al- 

 ways the cause of this disease. How easy, then, to 

 prevent. Sterilize the milk. Keep it sterile un- 

 til it gets to the stomach. Heat to 170 degrees, 

 no more, no less. This kills the germs. Heated 

 to the boiling point, 212 degrees, it may constipate. 

 Heated to only 170 degrees, it is all right. The 

 bad germs are killed. The milk is safe. 



But be particular. It is all important. Each 

 morning put as much rich Jersey milk into pint 



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